Movie-A-Week 2010: a Review
Firstly, I want to thank everyone who joined me on my quest this year! For anyone unaware, my 2010 Resolution was to watch one ‘new’ movie a week. I think I was successful and I got around to seeing a lot of movies that I had wanted to for quite some time.
Secondly, I watched 88 new movies this year (if my math is correct … and it rarely is - I know I forgot to write about one of them: Mystery Men in September)! 25 of those were in theaters, which is pretty good I think - even if a large portion of those 25 were ‘midnight retros.’ (I went to 33 of those, total. Just about all of them were fantastic.) You could say movie-going is kind of important to me.
Thirdly, If you guys are interested, I’ll keep writing about whatever new movies I see next year on here along with my One Disney Movie a Week thing that I plan on doing. So let me know if you’d like me to do that again. I had fun, but I don’t know how much you guys did.
Fourthly, I didn’t promise anything like this when I started out, but I thought it would be kind of fun - a ‘best of what Mary saw this year’ of sorts, since I don’t know if I’ll have time to watch more movies this year.
December 24: TRON: Legacy
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen, Anis Cheurfa
DISCLAIMER: I haven’t seen the first TRON. I wasn’t even going to see this one until I won tickets. Also, spoiler-y comments ahead. (Maybe, kind of.)
(Source: imdb.com)
December 18th: Scrooged
Directed by Richard Donner
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, David Johansen, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum
Can I just say the cast is amazing? Because it is. Basically everyone in the list up there, ROBERT GOULET, Buddy Hackett, Wendie Malick, and apparently Paul Shaffer? That’s a WHOLE lot of awesome right there. Oh, and throw in a Danny Elfman score for even more <3-age
I’m not huge on Christmas movies but I really enjoyed this one. As I think I have mentioned before, Bill Murray is kind of hit-or-miss for me buuuuuut I liked him here. I also don’t think I’ve really seen any adaptations of a Christmas Carol. At least, not in recent memory, so it was nice to watch one and actually remember what happens? I don’t know.
This is definitely one I need to watch more often and I really wish Robert Goulet’s Cajun Christmas was a real thing, I’d watch the hell out of that! And I really DO need to watch this again because the print the theater was showing was kind of beat up. The picture was fine and the sound was decent but there were some parts where it skipped things in the middle of a sentence, which is no fun.
Oh, and my favorite part was Elliott screaming “Now, that was just an innocent window, and you saw what I did to that!”
December 05: Harvey
Directed by Henry Koster
Starring: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway, Victoria Horne, Jesse White
I. Love. James Stewart.
I also love Josephine Hull.
Both were fantastic in this movie, as was the rest of the cast.
Many many years ago I watched about five minutes with my mom and didn’t get it. (“Hey, it’s in black and white!” “Hey, I don’t see a rabbit!”) Obviously, I didn’t get around to watching it until now. But I’m really happy I did.
It reminded me partially of Arsenic and Old Lace - one of my favorites - but not just because of Josephine Hull and the institution part, but the older humor and that it is obviously-adapted-from-a-play-ness.
I really believed that Elwood P. Dowd was interacting with a 6 foot tall rabbit (even if in the movie it was stated as 6’3 1/4” tall and James Stewart was 6’3” and he’s looking up at him - Stewart later explained he figured he was 6’8”) and I don’t think I would have enjoyed the movie as much if Stewart wasn’t so sincere about it. When he’s helping Harvey cross the street and pulling him away from traffic was just about the greatest thing.
This movie is a favorite of my mom’s so we had a nice little bonding experience while watching - until she fell asleep.
I’m kind of in the mood for another comedy so I may watch Satan Met a Lady - which I’ve had for over a year so I figure I should watch it soon.
December 05: You’ve Got Mail
Directed by Nora Ephron
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Steve Zahn, Heather Burns, Dave Chappelle
So in mid-October I started watching the Shop Around the Corner but didn’t exactly finish it. I’ll get to that one eventually. But, I did watch this.
It was cute. Sure, it was dated - AOL? lolololol. And there was a greatly varied soundtrack but there was some good stuff in it.
My favorite parts were picking out all of the Oz props. That might be a little stupid, but I’m a big Ozzian.
I totally dug the cast. I love Parker Posey and Tom Hanks and Greg Kinnear. Everyone else is cool too, but those I really love.
I remember when this first came out I really wanted to see it so I’m glad I finally got around to it.
(Source: imdb.com)
November 25: Tangled
Directed by Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, M.C. Gainey, Jeffrey Tambor, Brad Garrett, Paul F. Tompkins
I’ve been excited for this for months. Rapunzel is one of my least favorite fairy tales but DAMNIT! I have missed out on too many Disney movies in theaters lately and this looked genuinely cute.
And it totally is. (Potential spoilers ahead!)
(Source: imdb.com)
November 19th: The Princess and the Frog and Caddyshack
Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jennifer Cody, Jim Cummings
Finally!
The animation in this is really slick. I especially liked the “Almost There” stylized sequence and “Friends on the Other Side.” Oh, and Facilier’s shadowmancy was bad. Ass. I loved watching his shadow whenever it was onscreen. Partially because he needed a longer shirt.
Parts of the movie reminded me of non-Disney animated films of the 80’s and 90’s. I mean, tell me Louis didn’t remind you of King Gator from All Dogs go to Heaven. And then the part with the gators and Naveen hopping away from them reminded me of the scene in the Swan Princess where Jean-Bob has to get into the castle where Odette is being kept. Or something like that. I haven’t seen those in a while.
Jim Cummings is a great voice actor and I was really happy to hear him bust out his Fuzzy Lumpkins voice for Ray. He was probably my favorite character. But I also really liked Charlotte. She cracked me up.
The music was really good too. I had listened to the soundtrack once or twice in the spring and I liked it but it was better in context of the film.
Directed by Harold Ramis
Starring: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Michael O’Keefe, Bill Murray
While watching this I realized I had only seen about 45 minutes of the movie. And it was on cable. So it was all edited.
UNPOPULAR OPINION TIME! So… sometimes Bill Murray really bothers me? This was one of those times.
So this movie was entertaining and funny but I don’t think I will watch it again unless I’m forced to.
But my favorite part was Rodney Dangerfield’s “So what? So let’s dance!” and how everyone on the green just started breaking down. I liked his character a lot.
I thought the part with Maggie towards the end was kind of out of nowhere and really tacked on and not quite necessary? Maybe it’s because I didn’t care for her or Danny. I don’t know.
Definitely didn’t hate it though. And I can see why people like it.
November 14th: Red
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Morgan Freeman
I did not know this was based on a comic. So I’ll have to check that out. Even if they are wildly different, apparently.
This was actually pretty enjoyable. I didn’t really know what to expect, I just knew that it was action-y and comedic and the cast was pretty great. For some reason, I always forget how much I enjoy Bruce Willis’ performances so I’ll have to watch more soon. (Like… unfortunately, I have never seen Die Hard. I’ll get on that soon. Probably Christmas.) Everyone in my family really liked this and I guess it’s going to be our new Christmas tradition along with the Die Hard movies.
I was kind of really distracted by how good-looking Karl Urban is. Almost worth seeing it right there!
But there were some cool (and ridiculous) action sequences - like, they have to be seen to be believed. It was also kind of predictable, but sometimes you just need to watch something without so much thought going into it.
My only complaint was the like, 1080 degree shot about Urban in the first half of the movie. It just seemed out of place, if it was cut in half I’d be down for it, but we didn’t need to revolve around him that many times!
I’m glad we went to see it instead of some of the other movies that are out right now. My dad’s all “How about Megamind! You like superheroes!” “Ew no, Will Ferrell.” I don’t need to see Red again for a few months or even a year, but it would be neat to watch again someday.
(Source: imdb.com)
November 7: Batman: Under the Red Hood
Directed by Brandon Vietti
Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, John Di Maggio, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Isaacs, Wade Williams, Gary Cole
Pretty enjoyable. It combined some of my less-than-favorite storylines (Don’t get me wrong, I still like A Death in the Family and the Killing Joke - I’m not sure about he rest of it, I’m still a Batman continuity newbie, but I’m trying!) into something new but familiar.
I really liked Di Maggio as the Joker even if I’m used to hearing him as a big, friendly dog every week on Adventure Time - it made it hard for me to take him seriously. Well, as seriously as you can take the Joker.
It was certainly different, for me. I haven’t seen much animated Batman stuff so the style was unique? I liked it but like, the design for the Joker in particular looked pretty bizarre from what I am used to. Nightwing/Dick Grayson looked weird too.
I would probably watch it again, given the opportunity but it’s not something I’d watch ALL the time.
October 31: A Nightmare On Elm Street
Directed by Wes Craven
Starring: Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Jsu Garcia, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
So you guys remember the Treehouse of Horror based on this? That shit fucked me up when I was little. Groundskeeper Willie terrified me for years! My little brain didn’t comprehend that those episodes were out of continuity and I …bleurgh.
But this is about the movie, not the Simpsons.
The movie wasn’t as scary as I expected it to be. I guess I’m just spoiled? Robert Englund was pretty badass as Krueger though.
I really liked the opening scene when he’s making the finger knives. But for some reason I didn’t think about how much they’d utilize the sounds of his knives scraping against metal and augh, most horrible sound!
Naturally, there were a LOT of jump scares. Which are my absolute favorite things in the entire world. No. FUCK YOU JUMP SCARES!
I’m not that into slasher movies but this isn’t something I’d be opposed to watching again. It was interesting and I was really sleepy so I don’t know how much of it I actually paid attention to.
(Source: imdb.com)
October 28: Freaked
Directed by Tom Stern, Alex Winter
Starring: Alex Winter, Brooke Shields, William Sadler, Randy Quaid, Megan Ward, Bobcat Goldthwait, Mr. T
Extremely funny.
I’ve known about this movie for a few years but never had the chance to see it and I happened to see it on FMC the other day. Luckily, it was playing again so I could actually watch it. And I am very pleased I had the opportunity to.
This movie isn’t the most well known so here’s a quick synopsis if you don’t know it (feel free to skip this part): Ricky Coogan is a child star who ends up at a freak show with his best friend and some girl he met on the way to Santa Flan. They are turned into freaks by Elijah C. Skuggs because of some toxic chemical.
My love of Alex Winter is fairly well known and it was great to see him in a strange role like Ricky Coogan. But everyone else was great too. At parts, Randy Quaid seemed to be channeling Beetlejuice, but it wasn’t too bad. Somewhat surprisingly, my favorite freak was Ortiz the Dog Boy. Played by … Keanu Reeves! I had forgotten he was in this movie until he started talking and anyone that’s heard his voice would recognize that right away, even if he isn’t credited.
Due to the nature of the film - it is completely crazy. I mean, Mr. T is the bearded woman, Bobcat Goldthwait voices a sock puppet, the Cowboy is half-man and half-cow and the Frogman is … well, I laughed out loud when they revealed him and I don’t want to ruin it. A lot of the budget was spent on the visual effects and it really shows. There are some really cool things going on. The Beast Boy makeup/prosthetics/I don’t even knows were really impressive.
The humor is all over the place. Puns, semi-Gilligan Cuts, references, and just plain weirdness. It’s a movie I probably need to watch again to catch more of it but it would be worth it because it was so entertaining.
And really short - only 80 minutes long. I highly recommend it.
(Source: imdb.com)
October 22: Adventureland and the Exorcist
Directed by Greg Mottola
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Reynolds
I did not enjoy this movie. I do not need to ever see it again. I have discovered that Jesse Eisenberg’s voice annoys the hell out me when I have to listen to him talk for extended periods of time. Except Zombieland but… that had other people to carry him.
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Linda Blair, Jason Miller, William O’Malley, Mercedes McCambridge
I saw the 2000 ‘version you’ve never seen’ print at my favorite movie theater and I guess it has a few little differences - the spider walk for one - but I’m glad I saw it in a packed theater.
As I’ve mentioned before, subliminal images REALLY bother me and there were a handful of them in this movie. I think they were supposed to be Captain Howdy or Pazuzu and holy wow they wigged me out.
What made me jump the most was when Ellen Burstyn shouted “WHAT!” at the maid when she said someone was there to visit. Otherwise I think I sat relatively still.
Something that surprised me was all the build-up to the crazy stuff. Growing up, all I knew about this movie: little girl possessed by a demon. I didn’t know that her mom was an actress or that Father Karras had a lot of stuff going on his life. Or that he even existed.
I was left with a few unanswered questions but I think they’re mostly answered now thanks to IMDb. I don’t know if I will ever need to see this movie again. I mean, I liked it enough but I usually don’t need to see horror movies more than once.
And I’m really glad I (most likely) will never have to see the black and white seizure inducing trailer ever again.
One last thing, Linda Blair’s voice reminded me a little bit of Stacy Hamilton’s in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I have no idea if that is what Jennifer Jason Leigh always sounds like.
October 12th: Zombieland
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin
I have this thing about zombie movies. I usually end up liking them after I watch them but I’m never motivated to actually watch them unless someone I know tells me I have to watch it. (Or it’s for school.) I don’t know why this is, it’s just the way I am.
I really dropped a ball a few months ago when my family rented this and I could have easily watched it. Obviously, I didn’t. I’m glad I finally got around to it though.
There’s not a whole lot to say that hasn’t already been said - it’s funny and gory and has a killer soundtrack. I liked having ‘The Rules’ onscreen. It added a nifty element (since they sort of interacted with the film).
Over the next few weeks I will probably end up watching a lot of Jesse Eisenberg movies with Jessica since he’s one of her new favorites. Also in the coming weeks: The Exorcist and the original Nightmare on Elm Street!
October 9th: The Addams Family
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Elizabeth Wilson, Christina Ricci, Judith Malina, Dan Hedaya, Carel Struycken
I expected this to be kind of lame but it definitely wasn’t! I don’t know why I expected it to be lame, I just did. I don’t remember too much of the tv show, except for John Astin’s voice.
Raul Julia was fantastic as Gomez. He consistently cracked me up and he was just great. He almost makes me want to watch the Street Fighter movie.
My favorite scene was probably the play that Wednesday and Pugsley performed. That was so over-the-top hilarious. Oh, and the kids in flower costumes singing “Getting To Know You,” I was laughing so hard.
So I guess I have to watch the old show. I don’t know why I never did. I guess because my parents were more into the Munsters.
October 6: Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer
Directed by Bernard Deyriès, Kimio Yabuki
Starring: Bettina, Pat Fraley, Peter Cullen, Robbie Lee, Andre Stojka, David Mendenhall, Rhonda Aldrich
So I watched this thinking it was something I watched years ago. WRONG! This was entirely new to me. I think.
Rainbow Brite’s really cute. The whole appeal is the cuteness and the colors. The name was a bit misleading though. Either I was not paying attention and missed the star the Princess stole or there wasn’t any star stealing going down.
Oh, and Starlite was voiced by the guy that currently does Owl in Winnie the Pooh things. I thought he sounded familiar. Also, Murky is the current Eeyore. And Optimus Prime. I knew the name Peter Cullen was familiar.
I have a question and hopefully someone has an answer because I sort of remember this happening but I’m not sure? Which Rainbow Brite video/movie/episode/whatever has someone making a gray rainbow?
